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Judson Knapper

August 18, 2018
Kalamazoo, MI

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Jud, age 88, went to be with his Lord and Savior on 8/18/2018 with his family by his side. Jud was born January 6, 1930 to Madeline and Judson Knapper, the second born of four children. Jud attended Kalamazoo College and graduated from Northwestern University where he met and married his wife Joan Schmidt in October of 1952. They made their home in Richland, MI welcoming Timothy (Joni) and Karen (Jonathan Koets). Joan and Jud established and operated several clothing stores in Kalamazoo for many years, enjoying summers with their family in South Haven and at their cabin in the woods near Traverse City. Heaven has gained a talented haberdasher, retailer and salesman, whether it was clothing, senior apartments, or real estate. Jud served in the United States Air Force. He was very philanthropic and devoted many hours to charitable organizations over the years including the Kalamazoo Foundation, United Way, Constance Brown, ROI, Downtown Kalamazoo Association, Gull Lake Community Schools Board of Education Trustee, Gull Lake Community Schools Foundation, Bronson Methodist Hospital, Nazareth College, Family and Children's Services, Boys National Junior Tennis Tournament and many more. In 1992, he was awarded the Irving S. Gilmore Lifetime Achievement Star Award for Volunteering. He was as comfortable in a Santa Suit delighting children as he was chairing a board meeting. Jud ("Poppy") was very proud of his grandchildren, Joshua, Robbie (Shelagh), Stephanie (David), Elizabeth (Evan), and Sara (Eric). He also delighted in his three great grandchildren, Emma, Nora and Leia. Jud leaves behind a special friend, Jan Speers. Jud was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Joan and her parents Clarence and Viola Schmidt in addition to his siblings, Joyce (Russ) Kneen, Ken (Vicki) Knapper and Wesley (Janee) Knapper. The family would like to thank Grace Hospice and The Gardens staff for their tender care of Jud these last few months. They compassionately and skillfully aided his transition from this world to his eternal home. Memorial contributions in Jud's memory may be made to Grace Hospice or the Gull Lake Area Community Schools Foundation. Please consider a donation to your favorite charity in lieu of flowers. The visitation and funeral will be held on Friday, August 24, 2018. Please visit with the family at the Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, Richland Chapel, 9170 East Avenue (M-89) from 1:00-2:00 with a Celebration of Life to Follow at 2:00 pm. Private interment will be in Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland with the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Honor Guard bestowing military honors and where he will be buried alongside his wife, Joan. Personal messages and/or favorite memories of Jud may be place at www.farleyestesdowdle.com